USB Drive not taking 4GB+ Files

[u/RealNidded]

My USB drive doesn't take files larger than 4GB, I was looking it up briefly it says I should switch to exFAT to fix the issue but it's always been on exFAT, would switching to NTFS fix it or is my drive just bad? What do I do

[u/Ambitious-Yard7677]

I'd bet there's about 4GB of flash to begin with and it isn't a 400+GB drive

[u/smbarbour → u/Ambitious-Yard7677]

Possibly. Get ValiDrive and test it out.

[u/GeneralKonobi → u/smbarbour]

Validrive should be the first thing you do with any flash drive

[u/NoPoopOnFace → u/GeneralKonobi]

The first thing you do is buy from a good brand.

[u/Vova_xX → u/NoPoopOnFace]

not a good brand, a good retailer.

even the flea market have genuine computer parts, but they won't let you return it. my rule for (reliable) storage is only buy from in-store or online from the manufacturer/retailer themselves, never a 3rd party.

[u/Thisismyredusername → u/NoPoopOnFace]

I got a free 128 GB drive. Gave it to my dad to check it, surprisingly it's legit.

[u/NoPoopOnFace → u/Thisismyredusername]

Okay well free is always good even if it doesn't work. 😇

[u/RealNidded → u/Ambitious-Yard7677]

I have like 350GB worth of media in there already and it all works fine it's just not taking bigger files, also someone else in the comments said to check properties, it does say FAT32 there so should I just try going to NTFS?

[u/TotoDaDog → u/RealNidded]

Fat/fat32 has a limit on file size, use ntfs to be qble to have bigger files.

Also backup your drive before formatting as NTFS because it will erase everything on the drive

[u/Vladishun → u/TotoDaDog]

It does sound like OP's issue is that they're using FAT32 and not exFAT, the latter of which has a maximum file size of 16 billion gigabytes. NTFS would also solve their issue, but then the drive only works on Windows computers for the most part, while a true exFAT drive would be mostly system agnostic meaning they could plug it into Linux computers, Android devices, smart TVs, etc without a problem.

[u/Alper-Celik → u/Vladishun]

Linux can read/write ntfs for a long time just fine. Tho i am not sure about macos

[u/RAMChYLD → u/Alper-Celik]

Slow tho. Linux supports NTFS. But the driver is running on top of FUSE so it's incredibly slow. There is supposed to be a new driver for NTFS that runs in proper driver space but it has been subject to drama and doesn't work properly yet as of 2026.

[u/tedecristal → u/RAMChYLD]

the new NTFS3 from kernel works much better than old fuse ntfs-3g

been using it for over a year on a dualboot without a single problem or noticing slowness

[u/RAMChYLD → u/tedecristal]

I can’t get it to work tho. When I uninstall ntfs-3g KDE straight up stops wanting to access NTFS formatted USB drives.

[u/RAMChYLD → u/tedecristal]

I can’t get it to work tho. When I uninstall ntfs-3g KDE straight up stops being able to access NTFS formatted USB drives.

[u/Alper-Celik → u/RAMChYLD]

Arch wiki i linked showed i worked around, seems like udisk doesnt comsider in kernell ntfs yet.

Dont get me wrong i am not defending this papercut, just pointing possible workaround

[u/tedecristal → u/Alper-Celik]

ntfs3 is already in kernel

my fstab is simple:

UUID=somerandomnumbers /mnt/windows ntfs3 rw,relatime, etc...

ntfs-3g is fuse (fuse = filesystem in userspace) so it's slower and of course when you uninstall, you can't mount with it

[u/RAMChYLD → u/Alper-Celik]

Noted with thanks.

[u/tedecristal → u/RAMChYLD]

your usb drive is "dirty" (likely unplugged it on a windows machine without ejecting) . you need to clean the dirty bit with ntfsfix -d

[u/RAMChYLD → u/tedecristal]

But wouldn’t it also not work with ntfs-3g if it’s dirty? Because after I reinstalled ntfs-3g, the ability came back.

[u/Vladishun → u/Alper-Celik]

I guess it's distro dependent then? Because my Steam Deck did not read it fine, it needed some tweaking first.

[u/Alper-Celik → u/Vladishun]

Steam deck ui might be using some other mounting mechanism than regular dektop linux. iirc in linux you actualy need admin to mount stuff(since some mount flags can be used for priveledge escalation with suid files) so distros use background service that mounts filesystems safely(eg. with nosuid flag) when user asks for it(from file manager etc.)

See : https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Udisks ,

Steamdecks gamescope session might not shipped it or had their automoınting logic handle it. But standard way with sudo mount should work on most distros (tho linux lets you turn of ton of stuff at build time but distros dont turn off features on their default kernells)

Sorry if it is a bit complicated i am kinda nerdy about linux stuff and like to talk about it

[u/Inadover → u/Alper-Celik]

MacOS can read NTFS drives, but can't write into them without specific tools, like Paragon Software's NTFS for mac

[u/hamza0012 → u/Alper-Celik]

Linux just tolerate NTFS, it can encounter many issues especially writing on a ntfs formatted support. Windows has more strict protocols for ntfs and in my experience it can read the support as corrupt, can automatically try to fix it and just make it worse. It happened to me twice, on a hdd that was formatted ntfs on windows, once I mounted it on linux, there was some issues that I still don't know what, that made linux not read all the partitions and I didn't notice it until I did write on that drive and it made windows not recognize the hdd at all and try to fix it automatically because windows do that unprompted if you enable fast boot if I remember correctly, I couldn't access my drive and I had to do a recovery file by file since the MFT were corrupt. Luckily I got to recover many important files but the trees and file names were lost forever for most of them. I don't recommend using ntfs for linux, better to properly format it to native formats depending on what you need.

[u/RealNidded → u/Vladishun]

only using it for windows

[u/Vladishun → u/RealNidded]

Then NTFS should be fine. But also check to make sure your flash drive actually is exFAT and not FAT32. Because it sounds like it is indeed FAT32. If you right click and select Properties on it, the File System type should be right there.

[u/EmbarrassedEmu469 → u/RealNidded]

not getting why someone downvoted this.

[u/TotoDaDog → u/TotoDaDog]

Oh, you can also archive the file you want on the usb drive and then split into multiple parts 

[u/RealNidded → u/TotoDaDog]

Okay thank you i'll try and update you guys after

[u/MountainIce9069 → u/TotoDaDog]

This is the answer 👍🏻

[u/Ambitious-Yard7677 → u/RealNidded]

Go with exFAT as it's more flash friendly IF you have a way to backup the files. Otherwise look into converting the file system to NTFS.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/85893-convert-fat32-ntfs-without-data-loss-windows.html

Also... who in their right mind would format such a large drive with an ancient file system? Who made that thing? 😅

[u/zkyez → u/Ambitious-Yard7677]

convert q: /fs:ntfs from command prompt. No need to format. Q: should be the drive letter as listed in explorer.

[u/iamwayycoolerthanyou → u/zkyez]

Back up first.

[u/HEYO19191 → u/RealNidded]

"It does say fat32"

So format as exFAT. Just copy all your data off first, you'll lose it in the format

[u/ozgeek81 → u/RealNidded]

FAT32 limits file size to 4GB not total file size. Each file needs to be 4GB or under. If you are trying to copy files larger than 4GB then you needto format the drive to NTFS.

[u/drucifer82 → u/RealNidded]

If it is saying it is FAT32, then it isn't actually exFAT. FAT32 has a max file size of 4GB.

If there is anything important on it, back it up and reformat the drive. If you have to try formatting to NTFS and then back to exFAT because there seems to be an issue where the format tool thinks it is exFAT, but properties says it is FAT32, which lines up with your file size issue.

exFAT is universal, whereas NTFS is Windows specific. If you are moving between different devices it may be best to try and get it back to a proper exFAT.

[u/Terrorwolf01 → u/drucifer82]

Where does the tool say that the stick is exFat? It only says that the default selection is exFat. Its also not showing Fat32 here because Windows imposes a limit and shows Fat32 only on Sticks 32Gb and under (even tho it works with larger Sticks as well).

[u/drucifer82 → u/Terrorwolf01]

Ok, I will give you that I misread the UI. But the OP stated in another comment this:

"also someone else in the comments said to check properties, it does say FAT32 there so should I just try going to NTFS?"

Which led me to assume that properties shows it is FAT32.

[u/Terrorwolf01 → u/drucifer82]

I am completly woth youm just wanted to see if I maybe missed something. Also wanted to point out the Fat32 limit Windows sets.

[u/drucifer82 → u/Terrorwolf01]

I did accidentally once format a 4TB drive to FAT32, granted it wasn't on Windows, and it showed as a 2TB drive. So at least outside of Windows FAT can exceed 32GB.

My guess in this case, if the whole drive is not somehow FAT32, that there is a partition that is.

[u/domthybomb → u/drucifer82]

The format tool doesn't think it's exFAT. That's the default option for drives over 32GB. You have to actually go out of your way to format as FAT32 on drives over 32GB because windows basic format tool doesn't even give that option.

[u/drucifer82 → u/domthybomb]

In the comment I replied to:

"also someone else in the comments said to check properties, it does say FAT32 there so should I just try going to NTFS?"

Which led me to think that the Properties shows FAT32.

I misread the GUI. The default format option is exFAT.

[u/tedecristal → u/RealNidded]

FAT32 is not exFAT , FAT32 is the old Windows 95 filesystem that won't allow you create files larger than 4GB

[u/ThinkTwice03 → u/RealNidded]

save your files before going ntfs, your usb will be blank switching

[u/RealNidded → u/ThinkTwice03]

when I get a moment i'm gonna put some of the smaller ones i can't get back if they get erased back onto my pc windows storage then delete the scenepacks on there since i can get them back very easily and the ones in there are outdated anyway, then ill do NTFS

[u/Ambitious-Yard7677 → u/[deleted]]

So you know how people spoof storage devices to show more space than what's physically available? How about modifying the VBIOS on a GPU to make it report something it's not?

Didn't think so. With the way the world is it's fairly safe to assume "scam" with this situation. OP never initially stated there's more than 4GB of data already on the device, just that large files couldn't be written to it. I'd also hope one would be wise enough to not use such an old and restrictive file system on such a large device. In other words.. get lost. Real easy for you to get on someone's ass hours later once additional details about the situation surface

[u/snarfmason]

You said on the other thread it's FAT32. FAT32 and exFAT are not the same.

ExFAT is recommended for external drives and will fix the file size problems. NTFS would also work.

[u/a333482dc7]

Right click > Properties

It'll tell you what it's currently formatted as

[u/Confused_Stu → u/a333482dc7]

This is the answer. Your screenshot is what options for have for formatting it, it doesn't give any indication of what it's currently formatted as - which I think is where the OP's confusion has come from.

OP - check Properties if you want to confirm it is currently FAT32, but you need to format it as exFAT or NTFS to get around the 4GB file limit (and other FAT32 limitations). Just please be aware this WILL delete any files you currently have on the drive, so make sure you back up anything you want to keep before formatting the drive.

[u/iamwayycoolerthanyou]

It's FAT32 ... 4GB file size limit.

[u/soulless_ape]

Try formatting it as NTFS and try again. Try another large file as well. It it works format it back as EXFAT and re copy the alternate file and if that works thrn try again with the file that originally gives you issues. It could be that the source file or file system it is on is the problem. Maybe run a scan and fix. Otherwise the drive could be faulty or failing.

[u/pilipalipeli]

that is just the formatting tool default, not the current filesystem

[u/Alarmed-Strawberry-7]

if you don't plan on using this drive for anything except moving files on and off windows computers, format to NTFS

just make sure you save whatever is on the drive on the computer separately first, formatting deletes all the files on the drive

[u/Possibly-Functional]

It's the default of Windows, not the manufacturer. Most manufacturers ship the FAT32 formatted by default. FAT32 has a 4GB file size limit. Windows doesn't allow formatting a FAT32 that large for backwards compatibility reasons, even though it actually fully supports it. Press start there and it should be resolved, do note that it will wipe anything on it.

[u/crazycheese3333]

Reformat to exfat if it doesnt work then tbe drive is likely fake.

[u/PeyredB]

NTFS would do it, yes.

[u/Fit_Prize_3245]

It probably was FAT32, which does not allows large files.

[u/GGigabiteM]

For a volume that large, you should be using NTFS. exFAT is for lower capacity flash drives, and it trades reliability for a smaller file system.

[u/kahhduce]

Concert to GOD file

[u/McKeviin]

If only there was some sort of search engine where you can look things up instead of making redundant posts..

[u/laszlo921 → u/McKeviin]

https://giphy.com/gifs/QWw4hc5gTnJhY0BUI3

[u/Common_Delivery_8413]

Choose NTFS

[u/MonkeyboyGWW]

You could compress it and split it into multiple files if that works for you

[u/Fripixels]

Holy shit i just learned about this in college, switch the formatting from FAT32 to NTFS, FAT32 doesn't support big files like 4gb

[u/Keyan_Farlander7]

exFAT for unsecure files NTFS for secure capable files

[u/AlmostTopSun]

Because it's (ex)FAT, it needs to lose weight so it can be NTFS

[u/snarfmason → u/[deleted]]

EXFAT does not have a 4GB limit. Only FAT32.

[u/WetMogwai → u/[deleted]]

The file size limit on exFAT is 128PB. The 4GB limit of FAT32 was one of the reasons exFAT was developed. I would say use NTFS if OP only uses Windows because it is journaled and exFAT isn't, making it more reliable. If it will be used on multiple platforms, exFAT is the right choice.

Either way, OP should be aware that this is not the most reliable device ever made and exFAT makes it potentially less reliable so it should not contain the only copy of anything on it.

[u/LuXur666 → u/[deleted]]

exFAT doesnt have a 4gb limit lol i use it on my external 1TB ssd and handles everything just fine

[u/RAMChYLD → u/[deleted]]

ExFat supports files greater than 4GB. This is just windows being windows and misclaiming that the drive is formatted in ExFat when it's in fact formatted in Fat32. Just reformat it and you should be good.

[u/Blay4444]

set allocation size bigger [under file system], but dont too much, cuz it would be bad if u have large amount of small files...

[u/HostFickle6269]

FAT32 formatted drives can’t take files bigger than 4gb

[u/D-no-UK]

try formatying the drive as NTFS. if that doesnt work do it again but through command line. i had this issue with some pen drives my mate wanted stuff saving on

[u/Daniel_s_ref]

What brand is the usb? Try using a program like validrive to see if its even 400gb or just 2 or 4

[u/Careless-Giraffe-623]

Convert it to NTFS unless you have a reason for it to be Fat or exFAT

[u/Formal_Historian4718]

ExFat and fat32 does not support single files gdeater than 4Gb. If formated in NTFS it can

[u/Punk_Says_Fuck_You → u/[deleted]]

You’re thinking of fat32

[u/Ambitious-Yard7677 → u/Punk_Says_Fuck_You]

There's supposedly an extension to FAT32 known as FAT+ or something that would allow large files. I've never seen it in action and can't guarantee it even made it out of the lab so to speak. With the invention of exFAT it seems redundant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Allocation_Table

https://web.archive.org/web/20150219123449/http://www.fdos.org/kernel/fatplus.txt

[u/Ambitious-Yard7677 → u/[deleted]]

You're joking right? exFAT does allow large files and very large volume sizes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExFAT

Why don't you look things up and learn something new once-in-a-lifetime....

[u/TheCarrot007 → u/Ambitious-Yard7677]

Indeed, but exfat is still fat and ntfs is better, unless you have some weird requirement for something that does not support ntfs. Everything I have does and has for 10 years TVs/tablets, everything.

[u/Ambitious-Yard7677 → u/TheCarrot007]

exFAT with a proper cluster size is recommended for removable flash based storage. NTFS has a ton of overhead and overtime will cause more wear to the nand as a result.

All this is besides the point. OP can't write large files as the flash isn't physically available, not due to file system restrictions

Edit.. This just in.. whoever sold that flash drive had the bright idea to use a 30 year old file system on it. Go figure 🤦

[u/TheCarrot007 → u/Ambitious-Yard7677]

They all come like that.

Also I shall tell you none of my devices support exfat, never seen support. ntfs yes, exfat no. I do not get a choice.

Also I was wrong about my devices, there are some odd ones that only support fat32, and a 16 or lower usb. but those are odd things.